According to kava kava reviews posted online, this herb can have a profound calming effect, reducing mental agitation and relaxing tension in your muscles. Some describe the experience as a “buzzed” feeling or claim that it makes them feel numb.

Kava extract is now studied for its effects on anxiety, stress and insomnia. Recreational use of kava kava in the US has gained popularity as user reviews describe the mild intoxicating effect that this herb can have.

While many view Kava as a generally well tolerated “legal high”, this herb can have serious side effects – particularly when used at high doses or for prolonged time periods. Certain preparations of Kava extract may be more likely to cause liver damage, and the FDA has issued a warning about potential dangers from overusing Kava.

Why Do People Use Kava?

Traditionally, Kava kava was an important ceremonial beverage prepared in Fiji. It was also used medicinally as an analgesic (pain killer) and applied topically as a treatment for skin diseases such as leprosy.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, today Kava kava is used for the following:

Brewed kava is also served in beverage form in kava bars throughout the country. It is used more frequently for recreational purposes today.

Some consumers use kava as an alternative to alcohol, due to the similarities in their psychological effects. This beverage is commonly used to reduce feelings of social anxiety and to promote relaxation and a positive mood.

Many abuse Kava for its drug-like effects and use it as a “legal high”. Taking very high doses of Kava can produce a euphoriant effect, describe in user reviews as a drug-like buzz. However, consumption of excessive amounts of Kava may also produce alcohol-like side effects, including impaired mental performance, physical coordination and more serious negative effects.

Some users say that they take this supplement to “take the edge off” after a stressful day. Others say that they take Kava to be more social, but note that not all strains of this plant will produce the same effects.

According to one reviewer on Amazon.com, “After drinking 2 cups (1 heaping tablespoon to 1 cup of warm water), my back and shoulders are loose and comfortable, my mind is noticeably calmer (but not impaired), and I simply feel good– energized, even.”

One reviewer wrote, “Effects seemed to come on fairly quickly, a very heady buzz combined with relaxation and a sense of contentment. I then finished the rest and felt extremely comfortable. The headiness faded a bit and I settled into an overall relaxed state.”

Another reviewer described the intoxicating effects as follows: “As for the effects, as in how “buzzed” you feel. This is a mild kava. My throat and tongue go numb fairly quickly, and I’m relaxed after a few cups. I’ve had stronger kavas before. You’d really have to drink a lot of this to get kava drunk, which I DO NOT RECOMMEND.”

Many people who have written kava extract reviews report that, when taken during the day, it makes them feel sluggish and drowsy. For this reason, some people who take kava for anxiety or insomnia say that they use the supplement at night before bed instead of trying to take it during the day.

Some reviews of Kava for insomnia and sleep disorders warn that certain products can make you feel groggy or sedated the following morning. This has been described as a “kava hangover” by some users.

At least one reviewer reports taking a kava extract supplement that also contains eleuthero for acute anxiety. When feeling anxious, this individual experienced relief from anxiety symptoms within 15 to 20 minutes of taking kava.

Reviewers who opted to leave one star for a popular kava supplement on Amazon most frequently reported that the kava kava product they purchased did not have an effect on them or was not potent enough. Some reported stomach distress after taking kava in capsule form.

One reviewer wrote of their negative experience that, “[It] definitely numbs your mouth after drinking but as far as the effects it just made me feel weird not really anything to write home about. Everyone is different so effects may vary.”

A number of user reviews of Kava powder products sold on Amazon point out the unpleasant taste. One reviewer wrote, “Kava is an acquired taste (some say it tastes like wood chips or mud), but as far as kava goes, this one has a really great flavor. Not “itchy”, metallic or bitter, but mild and refreshing.”

Kava Kava User Guide

Kava kava is available from online and brick and mortar retailers in a number of forms, including cut or powdered kava kava root, alcohol-based or alcohol-free extract, softgels and capsules.

Studies on Kava for anxiety indicate that, when a standardized kava extract with 70% kavalactones is taken, it is more effective than a placebo and may be as effective as low-dose benzodiazepines. In most studies, daily doses between 150 mg and 300 mg were taken

While there are numerous anecdotal kava reviews for stress relief, research in this area is still ongoing. However, preliminary research on healthy volunteers suggests that a single oral dose of kava kava may cut down on the physiological effects associated with tasks that are mentally stressful.

Anecdotal kava kava reviews for social anxiety, as well as clinical research indicate that 400 mg of kava extract daily is as effective as 10 mg buspirone when treating generalized anxiety disorder. However, the FDA has not approved Kava for the treatment of anxiety or any other medical condition.

While no research is available that specifically focuses on kava herb and panic attacks, people who took this supplement for its anxiolytic effects report an improvement after taking the extract regularly.

Kava extract reviews for panic attacks in web forums and on sites like Amazon are generally positive, with many people saying their experiences involved less anxiety and fewer panic attacks.

The evidence on the effectiveness of kava kava for insomnia is conflicting. In one study, participants with anxiety disorders took a dose of a kava extract with 100 mg kavalactones three times daily. Researchers observed that this preparation was not effective for improving sleep patterns.

In another study of insomnia related to anxiety, however, people who took 200 mg daily for a period of four weeks experienced fewer sleep disturbances.

Preliminary research on the treatment of menopausal anxiety showed that 300 mg of a kava extract taken daily for eight weeks reduced both hot flashes and anxiety.

Research on the use of kava kava extract to help with benzodiazepine withdrawal is still preliminary. Some user reviews report positive results, but the FDA has not approved Kava as a treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

According to one reviewer on Amazon, “I’m getting off of ativan and this really helps, a very soothing, relaxing drink.” Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepins that is used for panic attacks, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and alcohol withdrawal.

Clinical research has shown that up to 300 mg taken daily over a period of one week while tapering benzodiazepine over a two-week period can reduce anxiety and prevent withdrawal symptoms.

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, at least 25 cases of hepatic toxicity have been reported in France, Germany and Switzerland. Cases include liver failure, hepatitis and cirrhosis. At least one liver transplant and one patient death have been attributed to kava kava use.

Researchers at the University of Queensland argue that only specific preparations of Kava are likely to cause adverse effects for the liver. According to one researcher, water-soluble Kava extracts from the peeled rootstock of the plant do not pose a significant risk of liver damage.

However, the FDA has issued warnings about potential side effects from this herb. It is still legal to buy in the United States, but has been banned in Europe and many other countries around the world.

Kava user reviews and testimonials suggest that this herb is generally well tolerated at appropriate doses, but may cause grogginess, sedative-like side effects and a feeling of “brain fog” the morning after using it.

It is possible that kava kava can cause loss of uterine tone during pregnancy; because of this, use is not recommended for pregnant women. Toxic pyrone constituents from the plant may pass into breast milk. Kava should not be taken when breastfeeding.

According to user reviews, many people find kava kava to be mildly intoxicating. For this reason, it is generally not recommended that people operate machinery such as automobiles while under the influence of kava kava.

If you have used this supplement, share your Kava Kava review below to let other readers know whether you had a positive or negative experience with this herb.

OVERVIEW: Kava is the name of a beverage produced from the dried roots of the Piper methysticum shrub. It is said to have mild psychoactive effects, similar to the effects of alcoho consumption. It has been banned in some countries, including Switzerland, Germany and Canada. READ MORE...

SIDE EFFECTS: Rated Possibly Safe due to possible risk of hepatoxicity and liver dysfunction. Some research data shows low frequency of side effects at typical dosages, including one four-week study in which 3,029 patients were given 800 mg of 30% kavalactone extract daily. Adverse effects were only reported in 2.3% of subjects and they included mild headache, castrointestinal discomfort and allergic rashes.

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